Advice please!! Bunny has cancer

[Babybuttons]

I just want some advice on how to keep her as happy and comfortable as possible. The vet has told me there’s nothing they can do for her now. She’s still very active, eating pooping and playing. But I’ve noticed some really strange behaviour that is worrying me. She is fixated with one spot on the floor near her house and keeps biting and digging there. She’s absolutely frantic about it and I’ve checked and there’s nothing spilt there or anything she can smell. She’s also very jumpy and is peeing in weird places. I just want her to be happy but I can’t stop her running back to this spot and attacking it. Even when I try and cover the area with blankets or objects she’s still at it. My poor baby

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry to hear your bunny has cancer. I have dealt with this as well and it’s a difficult situation. I had a 9 year old bunny develop GI cancer.

What type of cancer does your bunny have?

My only guess as to the change in behavior is possible pain. Is she on any pain meds?

[Bam]

I’m so sorry to read this. As LPT says, pain might be a reason for her behavior. You and your vet should discuss pain meds. There is Metacam and there are opiates or opioids that bunnies tolerate. If the care she’s getting is palliative, pain meds should not be withheld.
Another possibility is of course metastases to the brain.
With proper pain management, all I can recommend is lots of love and company and attention plus a few treats, not in amounts that will cause tummy trouble, just enough to spoil her rotten.

[Babybuttons]

Thank you for your messages. I found out 2 weeks ago that she has uterine cancer. The vet advised me to take her home and said to come back any time if she is in any discomfort and needs pain meds. She’s not been showing the usual signs of pain such as lethargy, not eating/drinking etc. She’s been full of love, kisses, big flops and even binkies. I hate the idea that she could be in pain so I think I will take her back to the vet tomorrow. I wondered if others who have gone through a similar situation had noticed their buns being very confused and displaying senile behaviours. I love her so so so much and don’t know what I will do without her. Everyday I worry I will come home and find her gone

[Sarita]

I believe the behavior is pain related. Pain management in humans who have cancer is relatively new so in animals, it’s totally new. I only have experience in cancer with my husband who passed away last year from lung cancer – he was in great pain and in the end we did morphine. Cancer is painful in humans and I suspect it is absolutely the same in our dear small rabbits. If I was in your position (and this is purely my own opinion) I would put her to sleep while she is still feeling somewhat pain free. We are lucky we can do this for our pets…it is the kind thing to do. Even with pain medicine we absolutely cannot know if the pain medication is giving the relief we hope.

I have had to let many rabbits go to the bridge and I have never regretted my decision.

Have a serious talk about this with the vet. My vet has always agreed with my decision. Your rabbi is suffering…

[Jadeo09]

Hi
Apparently tramadol can be given by vets to animals in great pain.
When your bun starts acting differently even with the pain medication usually you can tell straight away and its kindest to let them go.
Putting animals to sleep to stop their pain it’s what humans are fighting for the right to do.
I had to put my hamster to sleep a year ago with cancer. Pain medication wasn’t enough in the end so I took her to the emergency vet as I didn’t want her to suffer any longer.
Cancer is painful,because my hamster starting acting funny until pain meds where prescribed she was like a new hamster for about a week.
If you see pain med help you get to have a little extra time to spoil her and say goodbye.
I’m actually crying as I write this as I know the heart wrenching pain you must be in. I truly am sorry to hear what you both are going through.

[Jadeo09]

I know that you don’t know what to do without her. You still have the greatest gift lft to give to your rabbit that many of us don’t get. A painless death.
I always think I’d rather my pets go before me so they don’t have to suffer with a new owner if I die first.
Your rabbit will have had a lovely life til the day he passes thanks to you. I’m always grateful that I can take away their suffering by dealing with the pain of losing them rather than them missing me.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m sorry to hear.

I have no idea if this helps at all, but in seniors and people with compromised health, if they develop a urinary tract infection, they often show signs of dementia. As soon as the UTI is cleared up, they clear up mentally. I wonder if the cancer has compromised her and she has a secondary uti-it may be worth running a course of broad spectrum antibiotics-maybe see what your vet thinks.

Sending many vibes-and make sure you get your vet to talk to you more about what you can do, and what you should watch for and make your plans-i.e. if this symptom shows up you’ll make an appointment, If this symptom shows up you’ll start pain meds, if this symptom shows up you’ll go to the emergency vet etc. etc. That way you don’t have to make plans when you are upset or unsure.

[Babybuttons]

Thank you all for your comments and advice, i really appreciate it. I am going to discuss pain meds with my vet and see if that helps at all. I like to think i know her well enough to know when it is time to put her to sleep, and i don’t think she is ready to go just yet.

[Jadeo09]

You do know her best and are in the best place to make the decision.
Plus you care about her most to let her go inspire of your pain.
That’s a good point water infection do cause delirious behaviour in the elderly, maybe due to fever?.
I’d run it past your vet. Hopefully antibiotics and or pain relief will buy you some time to spoil her rotten!
Remember too many treats do give bad tummies so unfortunately it’s best to not go too mad.
Try and enjoy your time with love and cuddles.
So sorry and thinking of you both
Jade

[Babybuttons]

Her pee is thicker than usual and she’s suddenly got very incontinent. I wonder if a UTI could be linked to her behaviour? She has also pulled out loads of fur and made a nest in her house. I am worried about the change in her. I am taking her to the vet so I will explain all of this to him and post an update on the outcome. This is such a difficult time, it’s so hard seeing her like this.

[Bam]

Kidney problems may give rise to mental confusion because the kidneys filter out waste-products from the blood. If that function can’t be carried out properly, toxic waste products accumulate in the blood.

[Jadeo09]

If it doesn’t improve then it would be kinder to let her go.
See what the vets say. It could be an infection it sounds like one but it may just be the cancer.
Is she drinking less if she is she could be dehydrated?
I’m sure that no matter what she’s going through you are comforting by being there.

[Jadeo09]

Is she still active, does she still look fairly happy. Does she seem in pain.
If she’s acting out of character and seems in pain then its usually a sign when they are ready to go, they wouldn’t want to carry on suffering.
Your vet will know if antibiotics or other meds will help. So try not to worry before you know.
I’m so sorry for what you are going through.

[Babybuttons]

Thank you everyone for your support and comments. Buttons has been to the vet, he suspects the most likely cause for her behaviour is a UTI as she is still very bright and is eating fine (she has actually put on weight!!) She has been put on a course of antibiotics to clear the infection and I’ve been given some pain meds as a precaution in case she needs them. She has been a lot happier and has ceased her digging and frantic behaviour today. He said this could recur again due to her compromised immune system but for now she seems better. I’m so glad I get to spend some more time with her, she is so precious!!

[Bam]

Under the circumstances this sounds great. So glad she’s acting happy and has stopped the frantic digging! She sounds like a darling.

[LittlePuffyTail]

(((Hugs to you and your bunny))))

[Jadeo09]

Wonderful news!!
I’m so glad she’s perked up !! Every day is precious I’m so glad you’ve got more time.
You can fuss her rotten now!
Jade

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